Festive Fridays at Dix Park: Silent Disco, Solstice Crafts, and Sweater Shenanigans
Holiday lights, loud headphones, and low-stakes crafting joy.
Shannon
December 16, 2025
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Festive Fridays returns to Gipson Play Plaza with a Silent Disco on December 19—aka the one night a year when wearing an ugly holiday sweater actually improves your dance moves. While you’re grooving, you can make winter-solstice lanterns or craft memorial/wish ribbons to honor loved ones or set bright intentions for the new year.
Hungry? House of Many Porches Market, Flattz, and Party in a Pita will keep you fueled with holiday drinks, snacks, and food-truck comfort.
This isn’t sponsored—we’d loudly admit it if it were—we just respect a well-timed hot beverage. (Just so you know: Sponsored content in our newsletter is always marked with “*”).
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18 Exciting Weekend Getaways Within 2 Hours of Raleigh, part of The Raleigh Bundle collection of expert guides, is packed with charming small towns, scenic escapes, foodie hotspots, and unexpected adventures perfect for a quick reset. Even longtime locals will be surprised by what they find inside.
The 919 Deal Drop:
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Raleigh Real Estate:
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A rare presale opportunity to own the Azalea floor plan, blending timeless Southern architecture with modern sophistication through estate-scale living, private elevators, refined interiors, and expansive layouts.* Take a look here →
Raleigh Overtime:
🍴 FOODIE FIND: The Crunkleton’s Pork Shank is a 16-hour confit Kurobuta shank served over creamy polenta with hearth-roasted vegetables, hot honey harissa, and crisp taro chips.
🐾 FOR ADOPTION: AELIN | DOG | 3 MONTHS | FEMALE
Aelin is a sweet, playful pup who loves spending time with visiting children and enjoys outdoor fun with her siblings—chasing, wrestling, and chewing on sticks. Check her out here →
🛍️ GARAGE SALE: Head over to North Raleigh on December 19-20 at 9AM for a moving sale where everything must go, featuring household items, furniture, collectibles, tools, glassware, kitchenware and appliances, lamps, art, and toys. More details here →
📝 LOCAL CLASS: Holiday Ceramic Ornament Painting at Incendiary Brewing Co on December 18 at 6PM.
A self-guided Painted Pottery Workshop perfect for all ages and skill levels, offering a fun and relaxing creative experience whether attending solo, with friends, or with the whole family. Sign up here →
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🌳 Golden Years Gatherings
Handpicked social, cultural, and community events especially for Raleigh’s older adults.
👋 Event of the day: Christmas Caroling @ The Shoppes at Bedford | December 21 | 5PM
Christmas Caroling is an evening of singing, laughter, and making new friends, with lyric sheets provided and all welcome (singing skills optional!). Get details here →
💲 Senior Discount of the Day: Burger King | 10% Senior Discount
Burger King offers 10% off for seniors, plus extra drink discounts for guests 60 and older.
Local Vocals:
🎸 This Week: Dillon Fence | Rock
Dillon Fence is an American alternative rock band known for its melodic hooks, energetic live shows, and influence on the Southeast’s indie music scene. | Lincoln Theatre | December 20, 8PM | Get tickets here →
🎤 Plan Ahead: Cardi B | Hip-Hop, Rap
Cardi B is an American rapper and media personality known for her bold charisma, chart-topping hits, and unapologetically outspoken style. | Lenovo Center | April 11, 7:30PM | Get tickets here →
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✔️ Cosmetic Surgeon (Face): Raleigh Eye and Face has 140+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—expert facial aesthetics and surgical care you can trust.
✔️ Dentist: Russo DDS has 1,500+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted by families all over Raleigh for exceptional dental care.
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Let’s Get Laughing:
🎤 This Week: A Very Harry Christmas Show at ComedyWorx | December 20, 9PM | The 8th Annual A Very Harry Christmas is a ComedyWorx holiday variety show hosted by a passable Bing Crosby, delivering big laughs with a Naughty List edge. Get tickets here →
😂 Plan Ahead: Emma Willmann at Goodnights Comedy Club | April 17-19 | Emma Willmann is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for her candid, high-energy humor and memorable appearances on shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and various comedy specials. Get tickets here →
Find Friends in Raleigh:
Curated social events without an emphasis on alcohol or romance:
👋 Play Board Games @ Gamers Geekery & Tavern | December 18 | 6:30PM
A weekly Thursday-night meetup at Gamers Geekery & Tavern where attendees grab a name tag, join reserved tables to play games with others, and enjoy food and drinks from the bar. Get details here →
🤝 Ugly Sweater Party @ Fresh Collective NC | December 18 | 7PM
Fresh Steps Line Dancing with Soufside: Ugly Sweater Party is a festive holiday event where you can don your ugliest sweater and join Soufside Steppas for fun line dancing, music, and good times in a lively, seasonal atmosphere. Get details here →
Boxcar's one of those Raleigh gems you stumble into for a quick beer and end up staying all night. Between the retro arcade games, the rotating craft drafts, and the dog-friendly patio, it’s got that perfect mix of nostalgia and chill vibes. Just don’t tell too many people…I like being able to snag the good pinball machine without a wait.
—Hannah, a longtime reader
Oak City Job Openings:
💻 WORK-FROM-HOME JOB HIRING IN RALEIGH: Equivity VA is seeking a Virtual Litigation Paralegal.
💼 HOLLY SPRINGS JOB: The Resource Room Learning Center is seeking a Math Tutor / Teacher.
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Hey, y’all: Event info can change—always check the organizer’s site before you go.
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